Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a compressor configured to compresses a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, a first evaporator and a second evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, a distributor configured to distribute the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to at least one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, a plurality of first refrigerant channels configured to supply the refrigerant distributed from the distributor to the first evaporator, at least one second refrigerant channel configured to supply the refrigerant distributed from the distributor to the second evaporator and a capillary tube disposed in each of the first refrigerant channels and the at least one second refrigerant channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2012-0007264, filed Jan. 25, 2012, Korean Application No. 10-2012-018598, filed Feb. 23, 2012 and Korean Application No. 10-2012-0018599, filed Feb. 23, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a refrigerator that can store food at a low temperature.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, refrigerators are apparatuses that store food at a low temperature for a long time by keeping the interior temperature lower than the room temperature.

Refrigerators are equipped with a cooling system composed of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. A refrigerant at a high temperature and a high pressure, discharged from the compressor, is condensed by the condenser and is then supplied to the evaporator after passing through the expansion device. The refrigerant supplied to the evaporator flows into the compressor after evaporated through the evaporator.

The refrigerators has a problem in that it is difficult to take efficient measures against cooling load that changes in accordance with environments such as the internal temperature of the compartments or the temperature of the external air, when the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator is not appropriately controlled.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can control the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to an evaporator, in accordance with cooling load.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the aforementioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator including: a compressor that compresses a refrigerant; a condenser that condenses the refrigerator compressed by the compressor; a first evaporator and a second evaporator that evaporate the refrigerant; a distributor that distributes the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to at least one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator; a plurality of refrigerant channel that is provided to supply the refrigerant distributed from the distributor to the first evaporator; at least one second refrigerant channel that is provided to supply the refrigerant distributed from the distributor to the second evaporator; and a plurality of capillary tubes that is disposed in the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel, respectively.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator including: a compressor that compresses a refrigerant; a condenser that condenses the refrigerator compressed by the compressor; a distributor that distributes the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; a first refrigerant channel and a second refrigerant channel through which the refrigerant distributed by the distributor flows; an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant supplied through at least one of the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel; and a first capillary tube and a second capillary tube that are disposed in the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel, respectively, in which the first capillary tube and the second capillary tube are different in inner diameter, and the distributor distributes the refrigerant to at least one of the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel in accordance with cooling load.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator including: a compressor that compresses a refrigerant; a condenser that condenses the refrigerator compressed by the compressor; a distributor that distributes the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; a first refrigerant channel and a second refrigerant channel through which the refrigerant distributed by the distributor flows; an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant supplied through at least one of the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel; a first capillary tube and a second capillary tube that are disposed in the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel, respectively; a refrigerator compartment damper that controls the flow to a refrigerator compartment of air cooled by the evaporator; a freezer compartment damper that controls the flow to a freezer compartment of air cooled by the evaporator; and a control unit that controls the freezer compartment damper, the refrigerator compartment damper, and the distributor, in which the first capillary tube and the second capillary tube are different in inner diameter, and the control unit opens the freezer compartment damper, closes the refrigerator compartment damper, and controls the distributor in a first refrigerant channel flow mode in independent operation of the freezer compartment, and opens the refrigerator compartment damper, closes the freezer compartment damper, and controls the distributor in a second refrigerant channel flow mode in independent operation of the refrigerator compartment.

The present invention has an effect that, in a refrigerator with a plurality of evaporators, it is possible to take more detail measures against a change in cooling load by controlling the amount of a refrigerant that is supplied to at least one of the evaporators, and accordingly it is possible to ensure improved energy efficiency.

According to the present invention, it is possible to save energy by reducing the amount of a refrigerant that is supplied to evaporators under the condition with low load, and to more rapidly take measures against high load.

According to the present invention, it is possible to more rapidly cool the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration that can be applied to the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the interior of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing refrigerant flow and air flow in independent operation of a freezer compartment of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing refrigerant flow and air flow in independent operation of a refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration that can be applied to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them will be clear by referring to the exemplary embodiments that will be describe hereafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described hereafter and may be implemented in various ways, and the exemplary embodiments are provided to complete the description of the present invention and let those skilled in the art completely know the scope of the present invention and the present invention is defined by claims. Like reference numerals indicate like components throughout the specification.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control configuration that can be applied to the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 1 that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser 2 that condenses the refrigerator compressed by the compressor 1, a first evaporator 5 and a second evaporator 8 that evaporate a refrigerant, a distributor 50 that distributes the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 to at least one of the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 8, a plurality of refrigerant channels 15 and 16 that is provided to supply the refrigerant distributed by the distributor 50 to the first evaporator 5, one or more second refrigerant channels 22 and 23 that are provided to supply the refrigerant distributed by the distributor 50 to the second evaporator 8, and a plurality of capillary tubes that is disposed in the first refrigerant channels and the second refrigerant channels, respectively.

The distributor 50 may include a first distributor 51 that distributes the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 to at least one of the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16 and the second refrigerant channels 22 and 23, and a second distributor 52 that distributes the refrigerant distributed by the first distributor 51 to at least one of the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16.

The first distributor 51 can distribute the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 to a first distribution channel 14 and/or a second distribution channel 17. The first distributor 51 may be connected with a discharged-from-condenser refrigerant channel 13 that guides the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 and the refrigerant guided to the discharged-from-condenser refrigerant channel 13 may be guided to the first distribution channel 14 and/or the second distribution channel 17, through the first distributor 51.

The first distributor 51 may be implemented by a 3-way valve. The 3-way valve means a valve with three ports herein. The first distributor 51 can be controlled by appropriate control means, for example, by a control unit 35.

Which one of the first distribution channel 14 and the second distribution channel 17 a refrigerant is distributed to by controlling the first distributor 51 may depend on cooling load. The cooling load means cooling ability that is required in accordance with the operation environment of a refrigerator herein.

It is possible to sufficiently take measures cooling load with only any one of the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 8, in accordance with the cooling load, but it may be necessary to supply a refrigerant to both of the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 8 in some cases. To this end, the first distributor 51 that is distributed by the control unit 35 may be controlled in any one of a first distribution channel-independent-open mode (hereafter, referred at as a ‘first mode’) where only the first distribution channel 14 is independently opened, a second distribution channel-independent-open mode (hereafter, referred to as a ‘second mode) where only the second distribution channel 17 is independently opened, and a first/second distribution channel-simultaneous-open mode (hereafter, referred to as a ‘third mode’) where the first distribution channel 14 and the second distribution channel 17 are both opened.

The first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 8 may have different capacities. The first evaporator 5 may be larger in capacity than the second evaporator 8. The first distributor 51 may be set in any one of three modes of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode. When the first evaporator 5 is larger in capacity than the second evaporator 8, it is possible to optimize the amount of consumed energy according to load and to perform various patterns of cooling by controlling the amount of a refrigerant that is supplied to the first evaporator 5 by the second distributor 52.

When the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 8 have the same capacity, it is not necessary to divide the first mode and the second mode. When the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 8 have the same capacity, the first distributor 51 can be controlled in only any one of two modes, an independent open mode where only one of the first distribution channel 14 and the second distribution channel 17 is opened and a simultaneous open mode where both the first and second distribution channels 14 and 17 are opened.

The second distributor 52 can selectively distribute again the refrigerant distributed by the first distributor 51 to the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16.

Although the present embodiment exemplifies that two first refrigerant channels 15 and 16 are provided in the following description, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The second distributor 52, a device that distributes the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 to at least one of the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16, may be implemented by a 3-way valve. The second distributor 52 can be controlled by appropriate control means, for example, by the control unit 35.

A capillary tube may be disposed in each of the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16. That is, a first capillary tube 3 may be disposed in any one (15) of the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16 and a second capillary tube 4 may be disposed in the other one (16) of the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16.

Any one (15) of the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16 is a channel for supplying the refrigerant expanding through the first capillary tube 3 to the first evaporator 5 and may be referred to as a first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15 hereafter for the convenience. The other one (16) of the second refrigerant channels 15 and 16 is a channel for supplying the refrigerant expanding through the second capillary tube 4 to the first evaporator 5 and may be referred to as a second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16 hereafter for the convenience.

The first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15 and the second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16 are connected a first evaporator inlet-sided refrigerant channel 25. Therefore, the first and second capillary tubes 3 and 4 are provided for the first evaporator 5 and the refrigerant that flows into the capillary tubes is controlled by the second distributor 52, resulting in controlling the amount of the refrigerant that is supplied to the first evaporator 5.

The second distributor 52 has operation modes that can be controlled by the operation conditions of the refrigerator, particularly the cooling load, and can change the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the first evaporator 5 through the first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15 and/or the second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16, corresponding to the operation modes.

The refrigerant evaporated through the first evaporator 5 flows to the compressor 1 through a first evaporator refrigerant discharge channel 20 and an evaporator-compressor refrigerant channel 28, and then can be supplied to the condenser 2 through a compressor-condenser refrigerant channel 12 after compressed by the compressor 1. A check valve 21 that prevent backflow of a refrigerant may be disposed in the first evaporator refrigerant discharge channel 20.

The refrigerant of the present embodiment may be provided with a plurality of second refrigerant channels for supplying a refrigerant to the second evaporator 8. The distributor 50 may further include a third distributor 53 that can selectively open/close the second refrigerant channels. The third distributor 53 can distribute the refrigerant distributed by the first distributor 51 such that the refrigerant is carried at least one of the second refrigerant channels 22 and 23. The third distributor 53 can be controlled in accordance with cooling load, similar to the first distributor 51.

The refrigerant evaporated through the second evaporator 8 flows to the compressor 2 through a second evaporator refrigerant discharge channel 27 and the evaporator-compressor refrigerant channel 28, and then can be supplied to the condenser 2 through the compressor-condenser refrigerant channel 12 after compressed by the compressor 1.

A capillary tube may be disposed in each of the second refrigerant channels 22 and 23. A third capillary tube 6 may be disposed in any one (22) of the second refrigerant channels 22 and 23 and a fourth capillary tube 7 may be disposed in the other one (23) of the second refrigerant channels 22 and 23.

Hereinafter, any one (22) of the second refrigerant channels 22 and 23 is a channel for supplying the refrigerant expanding through the second capillary tube 6 to the second evaporator 8 and may be referred to as a third expansion refrigerant supply channel 22 for the convenience. The other one (23) of the second refrigerant channels 22 and 23 is a channel for supplying the refrigerant expanding through the fourth capillary tube 7 to the second evaporator 8 and may be referred to as a fourth expansion refrigerant supply channel 23 hereafter for the convenience.

The third expansion refrigerant supply channel 22 and the fourth expansion refrigerant supply channel 23 are connected a second evaporator inlet-sided refrigerant channel 26. Therefore, the third and fourth capillary tubes 6 and 7 are provided for the second evaporator 8 and the refrigerant that flows into the capillary tubes is controlled by the third distributor 53, resulting in controlling the amount of the refrigerant that is supplied to the second evaporator 8.

The third distributor 53 has operation modes that can be controlled by the operation conditions of the refrigerator, particularly the cooling load, and can change the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the second evaporator 8 through the third expansion refrigerant supply channel 22 and/or the fourth expansion refrigerant supply channel 23, corresponding to the operation modes.

The refrigerant evaporated through the second evaporator 8 flows to the compressor 2 through the second evaporator refrigerant discharge channel 27 and the evaporator-compressor refrigerant channel 28, and then can be supplied to the condenser 2 through the compressor-condenser refrigerant channel 12 after compressed by the compressor 1.

The refrigerant may have various combinations that control the modes of the first distributor 51, the second distributor 52, and the third distributor 53 and the modes are shown with mode control of the first distributor 51 as in the following Table 1.

TABLE 1 First distributor Second distributor Third distributor First mode First mode Second mode Third mode Second mode First mode Second mode Third mode Third mode First mode First mode Second mode Third mode Second mode First mode Second mode Third mode Third mode First mode Second mode Third mode

The names of the modes in Table are as follows.

In the first distributor 51, the first mode is a single open mode of the first distribution channel 14, the second mode is a single open mode of the second distribution channel 17, and the third mode is a simultaneous open mode of the first distribution channel 14 and the second distribution channel 17.

In the second distributor 52, the first mode is a single open mode of the first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15, the second mode is a single open mode of the second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16, and the third mode is a simultaneous open mode of the first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15 and the second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16.

In the third distributor 53, the first mode is a single open mode of the third expansion refrigerant supply channel 22, the second mode is a single open mode of the fourth expansion refrigerant supply channel 23, and the third mode is a simultaneous open mode of the third expansion refrigerant supply channel 22 and the fourth expansion refrigerant supply channel 23.

Although it is possible to control the first distributor 51, the second distributor 52, and the third distributor 53 in any one mode in the mode combinations shown in Table 1, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The first distributor 51 can be selectively controlled in the single open mode (first mode or second mode) and the simultaneous open mode (third mode). The second distributor 52 can be selectively controlled in the single open mode (first mode or second mode) and the simultaneous open mode (third mode). The third distributor 53 can be selectively controlled in the single open mode (first mode or second mode) and the simultaneous open mode (third mode). Such a mode control method may be applied, when the first capillary tube 3 and the second capillary tube 4 have the same inner diameter.

The second distributor 52 can be controlled selectively in any one of the first mode and the second mode, except for the third mode. The third distributor 53 can be controlled selectively in any one of the first mode and the second mode, except for the third mode. Such a mode control method may be applied, when the first capillary tube 3 and the second capillary tube 4 have different inner diameters or when the third capillary tube 6 and the fourth capillary tube 7 have different inner diameters.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same configurations as those in the embodiment described above are given the same names and reference numerals while the above description is substituted for the configurations, and the differences from the first embodiment are mainly described.

Referring to FIG. 2, a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a distributor 54 that selectively distributes a refrigerant condensed by a condenser 2 to a plurality of first refrigerant channels 15 and 16 and at least one second refrigerant channel 22. The distributor 54 can selectively distribute a refrigerant in accordance with cooling load. The distributor 54 may be connected with a discharged-from-condenser refrigerant channel 13 through which the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 is guided. The distributor 54 may be connected with the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16 or at least one second refrigerant channel 22.

The distributor 54 may include three or more refrigerant outlet connected with the first refrigerant channels 15 and 16 or the second refrigerant channel 22, and for example, it may be implemented by a 4-way valve. The 4-way valve means a valve with four ports herein. The first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15, the second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16, and the third expansion refrigerant supply channel 22 may be connected to the distributor 54 and the distributor 54 may be controlled to selectively open any one of the first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15, the second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16, and the third expansion refrigerant supply channel 22.

It may be considered that two or more outlets of the distributor simultaneously open, in which mode combinations for selectively opening at least one of the first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15, the second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16, and the third expansion refrigerant supply channel 22 are possible, which is useful, when the first capillary tube 3 and the second capillary tube 4 have different inner diameters.

When the first capillary tube 3 and the second capillary tube 4 have the same inner diameter, the single open mode of the first expansion refrigerant supply channel 15 and the single open mode of the second expansion refrigerant supply channel 16 can be controlled substantially in the same mode.

Further, the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 8 may be different in capacity, and particularly, when the first evaporator 5 is larger in capacity, it is possible to optimize the amount of consumed power according to load and to perform various patterns of cooling by controlling the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the first evaporator 5.

Referring to FIG. 4, the refrigerator may include a first temperature sensor 32 that measures the internal temperature of the refrigerator and a second temperature sensor 33 that measures the external temperature of the refrigerator. It is described hereafter that the first temperature sensor 32 is a temperature sensor that senses the interior of a storing chamber (not shown) where objects to be cooled are stored and the second temperature sensor 33 is a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the external air outside the refrigerator, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The control unit 35 can measure cooling load on the basis of the temperature of the storing chamber which is sensed by the first temperature sensor 32. The cooling load may change in accordance with the amount of change in temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor 32 to time.

Alternatively, the control unit 35 can estimate the cooling load by comparing the temperature of the storing chamber which is sensed by the first temperature sensor 32 with one or a plurality of reference temperatures. The control unit can control the distributor in another mode, when the internal temperature of the storing chamber increases or decreases to a first set-temperature, and can control the distributor in another mode, when the internal temperature of the storing chamber increases or decreases again to a second set-temperature. The refrigerator may further include a temperature setting unit 31 that receives operations for controlling the temperature of the storing chamber from a user, in which the set-temperatures may be determined on the basis of values inputted through the temperature setting unit 31.

Alternatively, the control unit 35 can estimate cooling load on the basis of the temperature of the external air sensed by the second temperature sensor 33 and control the mode of the distributor 50 in accordance with the estimated cooling load. In this case, the distributor 50 may be controlled such that the amount of refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator 5 and/or the second evaporator 8, in order of high in temperature of the external air.

Alternatively, the control unit 35 can estimate cooling load on the basis of the frequency of opening a door (not shown) which opens/closes the storing chamber, and control the mode of the distributor in accordance with the estimated cooling mode. For example, it is estimated that the larger the number of times of opening the door for a predetermined reference time, the larger the cooling load, and accordingly, it is possible to perform mode control of the distributor such that a more amount of refrigerant can be supplied to the evaporator 5. The refrigerator may further include a door switch 34 that senses opening/closing of the door.

On the other hand, in a refrigerator of which the storing chamber is divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, there may be a mode for operating both the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment or for operating only the freezer compartment. The mode may be set or changed to satisfy a condition with relatively higher load than when operating both the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment or operating only the freezer compartment in the refrigerator.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same configurations as those in the embodiment described above are given the same names and reference numerals while the above description is substituted for the configurations, and the differences from the first embodiment are mainly described.

Referring to FIG. 3, a refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a distributor 55 that distributes a refrigerant condensed by a condenser 2 to a plurality of refrigerant channels 15′ and 22′, capillary tubes 3′ and 6′ that are disposed in the refrigerant channels 15′ and 22′ and expand a refrigerant, and an evaporator 5′ that evaporates the refrigerant expanding through the capillary tubes 3′ and 6′.

Although it is exemplified that the distributor 55 distributes a refrigerant to a first refrigerant channel 15′ and a second refrigerant channel 22′ in the following description, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The distributor 55, a device that distributes the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 the first refrigerant channel 15′ and/or the second refrigerant channel 22′, may be implemented by a 3-way valve. The 3-way valve means a valve with three ports for a refrigerant herein. The distributor 55 can be controlled by appropriate control means, for example, by a control unit 35.

The distributor 55 is disposed between a discharged-from-condenser refrigerant channel 13 connected to the outlet of the condenser 2 and the first refrigerant channel 15′/second refrigerant channel 22′, the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ are disposed in the first refrigerant channel 15′ and the second refrigerant channel 22′, and the first refrigerant channel 15′ and the second refrigerant channel 22′ are connected with an evaporator inlet-sided refrigerant channel 25′. Therefore, the capillary tubes 3′ and 6′ are provided for one evaporator 5′ and inflow of a refrigerant to the capillary tubes is controlled by the distributor 55, resulting in controlling the amount of the refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′. In more detail, the distributor 55 has operation modes that can be controlled by the operation conditions of the refrigerator, particularly the cooling load, and can change the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′ after carried and expanded through the first refrigerant channel 15′ and/or the second refrigerant channel 22′.

The refrigerant evaporated through the evaporator 5′ is supplied to a compressor through an evaporator-compressor refrigerant channel 28′, compressed by the compressor 1, and then supplied to the condenser 2 through a compressor-condenser refrigerant channel 12.

When controlled in a single open mode of the first refrigerant channel (hereafter, referred to as a ‘first mode’), the distributor 55 opens the first refrigerant channel 15′, but closes the second refrigerant channel 22′. Therefore, the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 is carried through the first refrigerant channel 15′, expanded through the first capillary tube 3′, and then supplied to the evaporator 5′. In this case, the amount of refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 5′ is considered as being influenced by properties of the first capillary tube 3′, particularly flow resistance.

When controlled in a single open mode of the second refrigerant channel (hereafter, referred to as a ‘second mode’), the distributor 55 closes the first refrigerant channel 15′, but opens the second refrigerant channel 22′. Therefore, the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 is carried through the second refrigerant channel 22′, expanded through the second capillary tube 6′, and then supplied to the evaporator 5′. In this case, the amount of refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 5′ is considered as being influenced by properties of the second capillary tube 6′, particularly flow resistance.

When controlled in a simultaneous open mode of the first and second refrigerants channel (hereafter, referred to as a ‘third mode’), the distributor 55 opens both of the first refrigerant channel 15′ and the second refrigerant channel 22′. Therefore, the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 2 is carried through the first refrigerant channel 15′ and the second refrigerant channel 22′, expanded through the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′, and then supplied to the evaporator 5′.

By controlling the distributor 55 in accordance with three modes for controlling the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′, it is possible to control the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′ in three ways, when flow resistance is different in the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′, for example, when the capillary tubes have different inner diameters.

The refrigerator can control the distributor 55 in accordance with the cooling load sensed in the operation of the refrigerator, as shown in the following Table 2. Table 2 shows when the first capillary tube 3′ is larger in inner diameter than the second capillary tube 6′.

TABLE 2 First mode Second mode Third mode (low load) (middle load) (high load) First refrigerant Open Closed Open channel Second Closed Open Open refrigerator channel

Table 2 classifies the control mode of the distributor in accordance with the cooling load, where the cooling load means cooling ability that is required in accordance with the operation environment of the refrigerator.

The control unit 35 can estimate the cooling load on the basis of the temperature of the storing chamber which is sensed by the first temperature sensor 32 and control the distributor 55 in different modes in accordance with low load, middle load, and high load, as shown in Table 2. The cooling load may change in accordance with the amount of change in temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor 32 to time.

Alternatively, the control unit 35 can estimate the cooling load by comparing the temperature of the storing chamber which is sensed by the first temperature sensor 32 with one or a plurality of predetermined temperatures, and control the modes of the distributor 55. In the embodiment according to Table 2, the control unit 55 control the distributor 55 in another mode, when the internal temperature of the storing chamber increases or decreases to a first set-temperature, with the distributor 55 set in any one of the first mode to the third mode, and control the distributor 55 in another mode, when the internal temperature of the storing chamber increases or decreases to a second set-temperature. The first and second set-temperatures can be determined on the basis of values inputted through a temperature setting unit 31.

Alternatively, the control unit 35 can estimate cooling load on the basis of the temperature of the external air sensed by the second temperature sensor 33 and control the mode of the distributor 55 in accordance with the estimated cooling load. In this case, the distributor 55 may be controlled in the third mode (high load), the second mode (middle load), and the first mode (low load), in order of higher temperature of the external air.

Alternatively, the control unit 35 can estimate cooling load on the basis of the frequency of opening a door (not shown) which opens/closes the storing chamber, and control the mode of the distributor 55 in accordance with the estimated cooling mode. For example, it is estimated that the larger the number of times of opening the door for a predetermined reference time, the larger the load, and accordingly, it is possible to perform mode control of the distributor 55 such that a more amount of refrigerant can be supplied to the evaporator 5.

On the other hand, in a refrigerator of which the storing chamber is divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, there may be a mode for operating both the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment or for operating only one of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. The mode may be set such that operating both of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment satisfies a condition with relatively higher load than operating only one of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. That is, the distributor 55 may be controlled such that more refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator in operating both of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, as compared with operating only one of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, with reference to Table 2.

On the other hand, the following Table 3 exemplifies two ways of controlling the modes of the distributor 55 by separating single operation of the freezer compartment and simultaneous operation of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment.

TABLE 3 Simultaneous operation of Single operation of freezer compartment and freezer compartment refrigerator compartment First way First mode Second mode or third mode Second way Second mode Third mode

In particular, in the first way in Table 3, controlling in the second mode in simultaneous operation of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment corresponds to when the first capillary tube 3′ is larger in inner diameter than the second capillary tube 6′.

A method of controlling the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is described hereafter.

First, when the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ have the same inner diameter, the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′ can be divided in to the amount of refrigerant when the refrigerant is supplied through any one of the first refrigerant channel 15′ and the second refrigerant channel 22′ and the amount of refrigerant when the refrigerant is supplied through both of the first refrigerant channel 15′ and the second refrigerant channel 22′, and accordingly the modes of the distributor 55 is set as in the following Table 4.

TABLE 4 First mode Second mode (low load) (high load) First refrigerant channel Open Closed Second refrigerant channel Closed Open

The refrigerator can be divided into when it is under low load and when it is under high load, and with reference to Table 4, the distributor 55 can be controlled in the first mode (mode where any one of the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel is opened), when it is under low load, and can be controlled in the second mode where the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′ is relatively larger than in the first mode, when it is under high load.

In a refrigerator with a storing chamber divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, with reference to Table 4, the refrigerator can be controlled in the first mode in single operation of one of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment and can be controlled in the second mode in simultaneous operation of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment.

On the other hand, when the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ have different inner diameters, it is necessary to distinguish the capillary tubes to dispose in the first refrigerant channel 15′ and the second refrigerant channel 22′, but when the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ have the same inner diameter, capillary tubes with the same dimensions can be applied to the refrigerant channels 15′ and 22′.

The control unit 35 can estimate cooling load on the basis of the operation time of the compressor 1 and control the modes of the distributor 55 in accordance with the estimated cooling load. For example, when the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ have different inner diameters (see Table 2), the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′ increases in order of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode, such that the distributor 55 is controlled in the second mode (or the third mode) where the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′ is large in the early state of driving the compressor 1, and it can be controlled in the first mode (or, the first mode or the second mode) where the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′ after a predetermined time passes.

Obviously, when the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ have the same inner diameter (see Table 4), the control unit 15 can control the mode to be converted into the first mode in order to reduce the amount of refrigerant that is supplied to the evaporator 5′, when a predetermined time passed while the compressor 1 operates with the distributor 55 in the second mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a front view showing the interior of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing refrigerant flow and air flow in independent operation of a freezer compartment of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing refrigerant flow and air flow in independent operation of a refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a control block diagram that can be applied to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The same configurations as those in the embodiment described above are given the same names and reference numerals while the above description is substituted for the configurations, and the differences from the third embodiment are mainly described.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment includes: a refrigerator compartment damper 60 that controls the flow of air cooled by an evaporator 5′ in a refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment damper 70 that controls the flow of air cooled by the evaporator 5′ in a freezer compartment; and a control unit 35′ that controls the refrigerator compartment damper 60, the freezer compartment damper 70, and a distributor 55, in which a first capillary tube 3′ and a second capillary tube 6′ may be different in inner diameter. The control unit 35 can close the refrigerator compartment damper 60 while opening the freezer compartment damper 70, and control the distributor 55 in a first refrigerant channel flow mode, in independent operation of the freezer compartment. The control unit 35 can close the freezer compartment damper 70 while opening the refrigerator compartment damper 60, and control the distributor 55 in a second refrigerant channel flow mode, in independent operation of the refrigerator compartment.

A cooling chamber C where the evaporator 5′ is disposed and air is cooled by the evaporator 5′ may be formed in the refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a body 80 having a freezer compartment F, a refrigerator compartment R, and the cooling chamber C, a freezer compartment door 82 that is attached to the body 80 and opens/closes the freezer compartment F, and a refrigerator compartment door 84 that is attached to the body 80 and opens/closes the refrigerator compartment R. A machine room where a compressor 1 or the like can be installed can be formed in the body 80. The body 80 may include a barrier 86 that separates the freezer compartment F and the refrigerator compartment R. The body 80 may include an outer casing 90 that defines the external appearance, a freezer compartment-inner casing 92 that is disposed with the front open inside the outer casing 90 and includes the freezer compartment F and the cooling chamber C therein, and a refrigerator compartment-inner casing 94 that is disposed inside the outer casing 90 and includes the refrigerator compartment R therein. A back panel 96 that forms a back plate of the freezer compartment-inner casing 92 and the cooling chamber C may be disposed in the freezer compartment-inner casing 92. The refrigerator may be equipped with an evaporator fan 98 that blows air to the evaporator 5′. The evaporator fan 98 may be disposed in the cooling chamber C, together with the evaporator 5′.

A condenser 2 may be disposed in the machine room formed in the refrigerator or may be disposed to be exposed outside the refrigerator.

The evaporator 5′ may be disposed in the freezer compartment-inner casing 92. The evaporator 5′ may be disposed behind the back panel 96.

The refrigerator compartment damper 60 may be disposed on the barrier 86. A cold air discharging-to-refrigerator compartment channel through which the air in the cooling chamber C is discharged into the refrigerator compartment R may be formed through the barrier 86. A refrigerator compartment cold air return channel through which the air in the refrigerator compartment R flows into the cooling chamber C may be formed through the barrier 86. The refrigerator compartment damper 60 may be disposed in the cold air discharging-to-refrigerator compartment channel formed in the barrier 86. When the refrigerator compartment damper 60 opens, the cold air in the cooling chamber C can be discharged to the refrigerator compartment R through the refrigerator compartment damper 60, and then can return to the cooling chamber C through the refrigerator compartment cold air return channel from the inside of the refrigerator compartment R. The refrigerator compartment damper 60 can be opened in independent operation of the refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator compartment damper 60 can be closed in independent operation of the freezer compartment.

The freezer compartment damper 70 may be disposed on the back panel 96. A freezer compartment cold air return channel through which the air in the freezer compartment F flows into the cooling chamber C may be formed through the back panel 96. When the freezer compartment damper 70 opens, the cold air in the cooling chamber C can be discharged to the freezer compartment F through the freezer compartment damper 70, and then can return to the cooling chamber C through the freezer compartment cold air return channel from the inside of the freezer compartment F. The freezer compartment 70 can open in independent operation of the freezer compartment. The freezer compartment damper 6 can be closed in independent operation of the refrigerator compartment.

The first capillary tube 3′ may be a capillary tube for a freezer compartment and the second capillary tube 6′ may be a capillary tube for a refrigerator compartment.

The first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ may be disposed in parallel between the condenser 2 and the evaporator 5′. The first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ may include a capillary tube for a freezer compartment and a capillary tube for a refrigerator compartment that are disposed in parallel between the condenser 2 and the evaporator 5′. The first capillary tube 3′ may be smaller in inner diameter than the second capillary tube 6′.

The distributor 55 can be controlled in a first refrigerant channel flow mode, in which it makes the refrigerant flow to the first capillary tube 3′ of the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ in independent operation of the freezer compartment and it makes the refrigerant flow to the second capillary tube 6′ of the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ in independent operation of the refrigerator compartment.

The distributor can be controlled in a second refrigerant channel flow mode, in which it makes the refrigerant, which is condensed by the condenser 2, flow to the first capillary tube 3′ in independent operation of the freezer compartment, and it makes the refrigerant, which is condensed by the condenser 2, to the second capillary tube 6′ in independent operation of the refrigerator compartment.

The user can input a desired freezer compartment temperature and a desired refrigerator compartment temperature through the temperature setting unit 31, a freezer compartment temperature sensor 32′ can sense the temperature of the freezer compartment F and a refrigerator compartment sensor 32″ can sense the temperature of the refrigerator compartment R.

The control unit 35 can control the compressor 1, the refrigerator compartment damper 60, the freezer compartment damper 70, the distributor 55, and the evaporator fan 98, in accordance with the desired freezer compartment temperature and the freezer compartment temperature sensed by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32′.

The control unit 35 can control the compressor 1, the refrigerator compartment damper 60, the freezer compartment damper 70, the distributor 55, and the evaporator fan 98, in accordance with the desired refrigerator compartment temperature and the refrigerator compartment temperature sensed by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 32″.

The refrigerator can perform independent operation of the freezer compartment, when the freezer compartment temperature is at the upper limit or more of the desired freezer compartment temperature and refrigerator compartment temperature is between the upper limit and the lower limit of the desired refrigerator compartment temperature.

The refrigerator can perform independent operation of the refrigerator compartment, when the freezer compartment temperature is between the upper limit and the lower limit of the desired freezer compartment temperature and refrigerator compartment temperature is at the upper limit or more of the desired refrigerator compartment temperature.

The refrigerator can perform simultaneous operation of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, when the freezer compartment temperature is at the upper limit or more of the desired freezer compartment temperature and refrigerator compartment temperature is at the upper limit or more of the desired refrigerator compartment temperature.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention having the configuration is described. First, in independent operation of the freezer compartment, the control unit 35 can drive the compressor 1 and the evaporator fan 98 and control the distributor 55 in the first refrigerant channel flow mode. Further, the control unit 35 can open the freezer compartment damper 70 and close the refrigerator compartment damper 60. The control unit 35 can drive the compressor 1 and the evaporator fan 98 to keep the freezer compartment temperature between the upper limit and the lower limit of the desired freezing temperature.

In the independent operation of the freezer compartment, as shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerant is condensed by the condenser 2 after compressed by the compressor 1, and then it can be guided to the first capillary tube 3′ through the distributor 55, and it is expanded through the first capillary tube 3′ and then guided to the evaporator 5′. The refrigerant guided to the evaporator 5′ evaporates while exchanging heat with air in the cooling chamber C, and is then sucked and compressed in the compressor 1. The air in the freezer compartment F is made to flow into the cooling chamber C by the evaporator fan 98 and cooled by the evaporator 5′, and then passes through the freezer compartment damper 70. The air that has passed through the freezer compartment damper 70 is discharged to the freezer compartment F and cools the freezer compartment F. The air in the refrigerator compartment R does not flow into the cooling chamber C, because the refrigerator compartment damper 60 is closed.

Second, in independent operation of the refrigerator compartment, the control unit 35 can drive the compressor 1 and the evaporator fan 98 and control the distributor 55 in the second refrigerant channel flow mode. Further, the control unit 35 can close the freezer compartment damper 70 and open the refrigerator compartment damper 60. The control unit 35 can drive the compressor 1 and the evaporator fan 98 to keep the refrigerator compartment temperature between the upper limit and the lower limit of the desired refrigerating temperature.

In the independent operation of the refrigerator compartment, as shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerant is condensed by the condenser 2 after compressed by the compressor 1, and then it can be guided to the second capillary tube 6′ through the distributor 55, and it is expanded through the second capillary tube 6′ and then guided to the evaporator 5′. The refrigerant guided to the evaporator 5′ evaporates while exchanging heat with air in the cooling chamber C, and is then sucked and compressed in the compressor 1. The air in the refrigerator compartment R is made to flow into the cooling chamber C by the evaporator fan 98 and cooled by the evaporator 5′, and then passes through the refrigerator compartment damper 60. The air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment damper 60 is discharged to the refrigerator compartment R and cools the refrigerator compartment R. The air in the freezer compartment F does not flow into the cooling chamber C, because the freezer compartment damper 70 is closed.

Third, in simultaneous operation of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, the control unit 35 can drive the compressor 1 and the evaporator fan 98 and control the distributor 55 in a third refrigerant channel flow mode. The third refrigerant channel flow mode is a mode where a refrigerant is guided to the first capillary tube 3′, the second capillary tube 6′ or guided to both of the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′. The control unit 35 can open the freezer compartment damper 70 and open the refrigerator compartment damper 60. The control unit 35 can drive the compressor 1 and the evaporator fan 98 to keep the freezer compartment temperature between the upper limit and the lower limit of the desired freezing temperature and keep the refrigerator compartment temperature between the upper limit and the lower limit of the desired refrigerating temperature.

In the simultaneous operation of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, the refrigerant is condensed by the condenser 2 after compressed by the compressor 1, and then it may be guided to the first capillary tube 3′ or may be distributed to the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′, through the distributor 55. The refrigerant that has passed through at least one of the first capillary tube 3′ and the second capillary tube 6′ is guided to the evaporator 5′, and then it is evaporated while exchanging heat with the air in the cooling chamber C, and is sucked and compressed in the compressor 1.

The air in the freezer compartment F is made to flow into the cooling chamber C by the evaporator fan 98 and cooled by the evaporator 5′, and then passes through the freezer compartment damper 70. The air that has passed through the freezer compartment damper 70 is discharged to the freezer compartment F and cools the freezer compartment F.

The air in the refrigerator compartment R is made to flow into the cooling chamber C by the evaporator fan 98 and cooled by the evaporator 5′, and then passes through the refrigerator compartment damper 60. The air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment damper 60 is discharged to the refrigerator compartment R and cools the refrigerator compartment R.

It should be understood that the present invention may be implemented in other detailed ways by those skilled in the art without changing the scope or necessary features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above are only examples and should not be construed as being limitative in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by not the specification, but the following claims, and all of changes and modifications obtained from the meaning and range of claims and equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; a first evaporator and a second evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; a distributor configured to distribute the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to at least one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator; a plurality of first refrigerant channels configured to supply the refrigerant distributed from the distributor to the first evaporator; at least one second refrigerant channel configured to supply the refrigerant distributed from the distributor to the second evaporator; and a capillary tube disposed in each of the first refrigerant channels and the at least one second refrigerant channel.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the capillary tubes include: a first capillary tube that is disposed in any one of the first refrigerant channels; and a second capillary tube that is disposed in another one of the first refrigerant channels.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein an inner diameter of the first capillary tube is the same as an inner diameter of the second capillary tube.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the second capillary tube has a different inner diameter than an inner diameter of the first capillary tube.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the distributor includes: a first distributor configured to distribute the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to at least one of the first refrigerant channels and the at least one second refrigerant channel; and a second distributor configured to distribute the refrigerant from the first distributor to at least one of the first refrigerant channels.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein, in accordance with a cooling load, the second distributor selectively opens and closes individual first refrigerant channels of the first refrigerant channels to change the amount of the refrigerant that is supplied to the first evaporator in accordance with cooling load.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the at least one second refrigerant channel includes a plurality of second refrigerant channels, and the distributor further includes a third distributor configured to distribute the refrigerant from the first distributor to at least one of the second refrigerant channels.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein, in accordance with a cooling load, the second distributor selectively opens and closes individual second refrigerant channels of the second refrigerant channels to change the amount of the refrigerant that is supplied to the second evaporator.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the capillary tubes include: a third capillary tube that is disposed in any one of the second refrigerant channels; and a fourth capillary tube that is disposed in another one of the second refrigerant channels.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein an inner diameter of the third capillary tube is the same as an inner diameter of the fourth capillary tube.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the second capillary tube has a different inner diameter than an inner diameter of the first capillary tube.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first distributor, the second distributor, and the third distributor is a 3-way valve.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the distributor is configured to selectively distribute the refrigerant to the first refrigerant channels and the at least one second refrigerant channel.
 14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the distributor includes at least three refrigerant outlets and at least one of the three refrigerant outlets is connected to the at least one second refrigerant channel.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the distributor is a 4-way valve.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator has a larger capacity than a capacity of the second evaporator.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control the distributor.
 18. A refrigerator comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser configured to condense the refrigerator compressed by the compressor; a distributor configured to distribute the refrigerant condensed by the condenser; a first refrigerant channel and a second refrigerant channel configured to receive refrigerant distributed by the distributor; an evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant distributed by the distributor through at least one of the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel; a first capillary tube disposed in the first refrigerant channel; and a second capillary tube disposed in the second refrigerant channel, the second capillary tube having a different inner diameter than an inner diameter of the first capillary tube, wherein the distributor distributes the refrigerant to at least one of the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel in accordance with cooling load.
 19. The refrigerator according to claim 17, further comprising: a refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment; a refrigerator compartment damper configured to control a flow of air cooled by the evaporator to the refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment damper configured to control a flow of air cooled by the evaporator to the freezer compartment; and a control unit configured to control the freezer compartment damper, the refrigerator compartment damper and the distributor.
 20. The refrigerator according claim 19, wherein, in accordance with a first mode of operation, the control unit is configured to open the freezer compartment damper, close the refrigerator compartment damper, and control the distributor to distribute refrigerant to the first refrigerant channel, and wherein, in accordance with a second mode of operation, the control unit is configured to open the refrigerator compartment damper, close the freezer compartment damper, and control the distributor to distribute refrigerant to the second refrigerant channel. 